Last season, Wigan Athletic ruined my birthday. 10 men at Elland Road, one goal down and facing a barrage. Only one result – yes, Leeds lose 2-1. There was always that fear the same Leeds United would turn up.
Thankfully, that didn’t happen. Wigan did go down to 10 men early doors, again. Leeds United did take a 1-0 lead, again. Yet, the Whites powered on to a 2-0 win with another dominating performance which saw them top the Sky Bet Championship table on goal difference.
For the goals, Leeds United had to thank the much-maligned Patrick Bamford whose supposed inability to finish had drawn the ire of some Whites fans across social media. That ire is now choking at the back of many throats and it has the certain piquant taste of humble and pie mix.
The goals – Bamford brace sees Whites pass Latic’s acid test
https://twitter.com/LUFC_Goals/status/1162734889570955265?s=20
https://twitter.com/LUFC_Goals/status/1162747158275035137?s=20
Turning point – Williams two yellows = one red
It was a clumsy challenge by Joe Williams on Leeds United’s eventual goal hero Patrick Bamford which earned the Wigan player a 21st-minute red card. Was it red worthy? On its own, it would likely have received a yellow and it was that line of thought that must have pushed referee Andrew Madley to issue a yellow and the subsequent red. It unbalanced Wigan, and Leeds were able to exploit the man difference much better than last season.
https://twitter.com/LUFC_Goals/status/1162731609319022597?s=20
Kalvin Phillips outdoes whole Wigan outfield 10
Another game notched up and consigned to the history books and another performance that enhances the reputation of Kalvin Phillips at Leeds United. His conversion to a defensive midfield enforcer grows game by game, the influence of Marcelo Bielsa shining through at every stride.
Today, at the DW Stadium, Phillips basically outdid the whole Wigan starting outfield 10:
Kalvin Phillips (71) completed more passes than all of Wigan's outfield starters combined today (70).
– 94 touches
– 88% pass completion
– 3 tackles (more than any other player)
– 3 headers won
– 3 clearances
– 1 key pass
– 1 interception@Kalvinphillips @LUFC #LUFC— Championship Stats (@Champstat) August 17, 2019
With these figures, and coupled with the game-by-game performances, it is easy to see why the Whites value Kalvin Phillips at £30million.
Leeds United fan reactions as Whites top the table
It was a 2-0 win that allowed Leeds United to not only avenge the ghosts of last season and that ‘performance’ at Elland Road but also was good enough to see them top the table three games in. United are undefeated with two wins and a draw and lead the table on goal difference from promoted side Charlton Athletic, West Brom, Swansea City and Millwall.
It was a different performance to last season, with Leeds more dominant than they were in their embarrassing capitulation at Elland Road. It was a result that had many Leeds United fans commenting on Twitter. Here’s what some of them said:
Saturday night's are all white. #lufc 😊🍻💙💛💙💪 pic.twitter.com/mRmHJfiP4R
— John 🐯🏴💙💛💙⚔️🇺🇸 (@john_bartrop) August 17, 2019
Top of the league. The Guardian's Championship summary has a less than flattering picture of Lord Bamford, as if he's squeezing a ripe one from his rear end. Still, well done squire. #lufc
— Darren Leathley (@DarrenLeathley) August 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/efl_is_corrupt/status/1162783564905271296?s=20
Leeds fans at Wigan today. Only full stand in the ground and very loud #lufcawaydays #lufc #gooddayout pic.twitter.com/H7tkj8GdKS
— Richard Newton (@YorkyRich) August 17, 2019
Another dominantly impressive away performance. Away fans might winge about the ref but we’re normally against at least 12 every game so made a refreshing change to get a couple of 50/50’s go our way. Let’s hope PB can kick on & start an impressive scoring run. #LUFC #MOT #ONONON
— Phil J (@jonespg0803) August 17, 2019
Good win with dictating and commanding the game away from home. 2 for bamford and clean sheet. Great day all round. #lufc eieieio
— jayjay82🏆 (@jwh1982) August 17, 2019